Date: July
20, 2018
Re:
K-9 Argo
Receives Donation of Body Armor
Issued by/Contact: Lt. Jeremiah P. Marron Jr.
______________________________________________________________________
Darien Police Department’s K9 Argo
has received donation of body armor
Darien Police Department’s K9 Argo
has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation
from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was
sponsored by an Anonymous Sponsor and embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in
K9s, Inc.”.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a
501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet
and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and
related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established
in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving
body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested
Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,000 protective vests in 50 states,
through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S.
with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20
months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are
eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law
enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a
five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated
30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information
or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested
Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts
tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org
or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
K-9 “Argo” and
his handler, Ofc. Amanda Hinkley, are currently assigned to the patrol
division. The K-9 Team is certified in
Narcotics Detection and Tracking.
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